"Tepper balances pointed criticisms of our era with a calamity that appears to owe far more to Genesis than to science...the writing is slick and crafeully crafted, Xulai has plenty of pluck, and her companions possess a nearly ideal mixture of virtues, flaws, and enthusiasm for redemptive sacrifice." -- Publishers Weekly

"The Waters Rising" delivers a strong, complex story that poses tough questions and demands a new look at the possibilities of the future." -- Wichita Eagle

"Full of fascinating characters and beautifully detailed settings . . . complex and multifaceted . . . As always, Locus Award-winner Tepper wields grand science fiction themes with skill, vision and a twist of black humor." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Tepper holds up a funhouse glass to customs and mores many of us take for granted. . . . She provides a good story, with sympathetic characters and plenty to think about." -- Denver Post

"This lyrical, beautifully written novel transcends the sum of its parts to become a parable of survival and hope in hopeless times." -- The Guardian

"Tepper has developed a dependable following with works that have an epic fantasy feel but that ultimately reveal logically consistent scientific trappings. This work is no exception, a successful blend of dying-earth fantasy and wicked-witch fable." -- Booklist

"The Waters Rising, stands as a thoughtful allegory for environmentalism." -- Iron Mountain Daily News